At the Doctor’s

 Lesson Plan

Everyone has to go the the doctors at one time or another. Hopefully it is always for something minor. No matter what the problem is there will be a number of common expressions that doctors use. Look at some of these examples.

English Expressions

Expression: What seems to be the problem?
Response: My left knee hurts when I bend it.

Expression: Where does it hurt?
Response: My right ear.

Expression: How long has it hurt? 
Response: It started to hurt three days ago?

Expression: Have you done or eaten anything unusual in the last few days?
Response: No, just the normal stuff.

Expression: Let’s check you blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.
Response: OK.

Expression:  You need an injection of penicillin and I’ll give  you a prescription for pain pills.
Response: Can’t I have a pill instead, I hate shots.

Many people, when hearing you are sick, are likely to express their sympathy. Sympathy can be given for any number of reasons, not just illness, but for any bad news- such as a death in the family, a lost promotion, or other disappointment. Look at these examples.

English Expressions

Expression: I’m so sorry to hear about (… your father’s illness).
Response: Thanks, that’s kind of you.

Expression: I want to express my condolences ( …on your mother’s death).
Response: Thanks, I appreciate your kindness.

Expression: It’s too bad that ( … you didn’t get that promotion).
Response: Yes, well maybe next time.

Expression: It’s a shame (pity) that ( …your son didn’t  get accepted into Harvard).
Response: How kind of you to say so.

English Dialogue

Students should work together in pairs and read the following dialogue, one student reading one part, the other student reading the other. Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have similar conversations.

Doctor: What seems to be the problem today Jake.
Jake: I’m not sure Doctor, I just feel lousy all over. I have a splitting headache,
     my stomach is upset, all I want to do is sleep, and my right elbow is hurting.
Doctor: How long has this been going on?
Jake: It just started today. Yesterday I felt great, but when I woke up this
     morning …oh.
Doctor: Well let’s take your temperature and blood pressure and see how they are.
Doctor: (Later). You don’t have a fever, and your blood pressure and pulse are
     normal. There is a flu going around, but that wouldn’t explain your elbow hurting.
     Tell me, have you done anything or eaten anything unusual in the last couple
     of days?
Jake: Not really, I did go to a party last night and drank a little.
Doctor: What did you drink and how much?
Jake: Not much, 7 or 8 cans of beer and a bottle of tequila.
Doctor: Do you usually drink that much?
Jake: No, it was the first time drinking anything. I was celebrating my 21st
     birthday.
Doctor: Well, no wonder you feel lousy, you have a major hangover. Do you
    happen to remember if you fell down or hit your elbow against something?
Jake: Now that you mention it, I seem to recall I fell down when I was getting
     out of my car.
Doctor: Well your elbow seems OK, just a bad bruise. It’ll be OK in a few days.
Jake: What can I do to feel better?
Doctor: For your elbow, you might want to put on a cold pack. For your hangover,
     I suggest taking some aspirin, drinking lots of water, eating something light and
     going back to bed. You’ll feel good as new tomorrow.
Jake: Thanks doctor. You’re a life saver.

After reading, close your book and tell your partner a summary of the dialogue. Then switch and have your partner tell his or her summary. Start like this: This dialogue is about a man talking to a doctor. The man’s problem is …This may seem silly, since you both already know what the dialogue is about, but the purpose is to practice using your English, not to give information or test your reading skills.

Conversation Activities

1. Pair work- discussion
     Have you been to the doctor recently? Tell your partner about it using some of the
     ideas for discussion below. Your partner should ask questions to get more
     information.

when did you go
why did you go
where did you go
what kind of treatment did you receive
did you have a follow-up visit

2. Pair work- discussion  
     Use your imaginations and express sympathy to your partner for the following
     situations. Your partner should tell you about the situations listed below. Continue
     the conversation by asking questions to get more details of the situation.

parents divorce
death of a friend  
getting fired from a job
parents serious illness
being dumped by your lover
failing an important test

3. Pair work- Role Play
    Working with a partner, role play the situation, using the information below
    The situation: At a doctor’s office
    The roles: A doctor, a patient

The patient has the following symptoms or problems. The doctor should:

ask what the problem is
ask how long it has lasted
ask if the patient has done or eaten anything unusual lately
make a recommendation for treatment

Patients problem: Cold, Runny nose, cough, muscle aches                 
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, drink fluids (orange juice), prescription cold medicine   

Patients problem: Fever: Hot forehead, headache, shivering                  
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, alcohol rub, aspirin

Patients problem: Upset stomach: Vomiting, stomach pain, nausea               
Doctor’s treatment: Take antacid

Patients problem: Back pain, pain in lower lumbar region              
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, massage, heating  pad, take, analgesic (pain pill)    

Patients problem: Head ache: Pain in head, at temples                          
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, aspirin 

Patients problem:Skin burn (from hot water), pain at site of  burn, red skin, blisters                                    
Doctor’s treatment: Cool site with cold water, apply aloe or other skin, burn ointment       

Patients problem: Broken finger: Extreme pain, lack of mobility                  
Doctor’s treatment: Set finger in cast, pain pill

Patients problem: Sore throat, pain in throat, difficulty swallowing    
Doctor’s treatment: Gargle with salt water, take  throat lozenges

Patients problem: Allergies: runny noose, sneezing, watery,  itchy eyes             
Doctor’s treatment:Take allergy pills

from http://www.hotel-tefl.com/yadayadaenglish/doctors/